Highlights of the Toronto Yoga Show

Sitar players and yoga gurus

Photo essay from the Toronto Yoga Show floor

I am not that keen on yoga shows and conferences and cannot afford the big-ticket class fees. But I did pay a Saturday visit to the Toronto Yoga Show floor and was drawn to speak with a number of people who seemed sincere and knowledgeable (in spite of the overtly commercial atmosphere). I chatted with some people from Sivananda Yoga. I have been to several of their worldwide yoga ashrams and centres — such as the beautiful Sivananda Ashram Yoga Camp north of Montreal, in the Laurentian Mountains — and I often recommend them on Breathedreamgo and in the articles I write. Also enjoyed chatting with Kevin “The Wolf” Alexander, Wearer of Many Hats, from the Northern Edge Algonquin retreat centre. I have wanted to go to this very special retreat on the edge of Algonquin Park for more years than I care to remember. Somehow, after chatting with Kevin, I think this summer will finally be the one. Among other special events, they often host yoga retreats.

The highlight, for me, was unexpectedly coming across sitar teacher Lata Swarn modestly sitting on the floor and playing in a booth selling yoga clothes. I kneeled down and listened, falling into a trance induced by the classical Indian music. Not only can she play like a charm, but she’s a lovely person too — and I discovered that she lives in the same west-end Toronto building as my brother. Another highlight was meeting yoga “legend” Dharma Mittra.

Sitar teacher Lata Swarn at Yoga Conference Toronto

My second favourite moment was coming across my friend Ram Vakkalanka chatting with yoga “legend” Dharma Mittra. In this photo, below, Dharma is holding one of Ram’s CDs — Ram is also a talented sitar player, as well as Sanskrit teacher and yoga philosophy teacher. I notice that Ram is leading a workshop on Inner healing through sacred sounds at Sivananda in Quebec this summer. I think I’ll be going to this!

Yoga teacher Dharma Mittra and sita player Ram Vakkalanka

I did not take part in the free, open classes … but did enjoy taking advantage of some good photo opps.

Related Posts:

About Mariellen Ward

Travel writer Mariellen Ward is the founder of the "meaningful travel adventure" blog Breathedreamgo, one of the world's leading travel blogs about India. Join her on a transformational journey and find inspiration and information for living your travel dreams.

PINTEREST

INSTAGRAM

AS SEEN

Your blog has to be the best I have ever came across. You are a beautiful writer. Thanks.

- Caroline M

Your blogs encouraged me to go to Varanasi and put my mother's ashes in the Ganges....for this I thank you!

- Kira Godbe

Mariellen writes with a passion few other bloggers can reach, and with an honesty few people can take pride in. She is bound to India, physically, emotionally and spiritually ... a modern Scheherazade who intertwines magic and beauty in her tales.

- TenMania's 50 Travel bloggers to follow

Always thankful to you ... without this blog some things are never happy for me in my life. You made India high. I feel this blog is sacred. All these things are just reflection of heart. You have great inner beauty and that is just reflected on your blog.

- Ravi

I haven't read anything as beautiful about India as this sentence from your blog: "India’s gift to the world is an ancient and abiding wisdom built on the realization that reality is shaped in the mind and that the only lasting path to happiness is internal."

- Mayank Bhatt, author and journalist

I have been following you on Facebook. Your positive energy and affection for India are a great presence in my day.

- Chetan S

Going to India in two weeks time and very much looking forward to it. Your blog was very influential in my final decision and thank you for such an appealing portrait of the whole place.

- Paula M

"I truly think that your blog is one of the best in my opinion. It's just so wholesome and realistic at the same time!

- Aditya

When I started researching the possibility of traveling to India, I wanted to find a blog written by a woman who had traveled to India by herself and I found you right away. For days I was glued to your site reading all your entries related to India and when I finished I knew that I had to go.